News broke this month that Glemham Hall, a long-standing Cobbold home, is to be sold. Bought by the family in 1923, it had just reached its century in Cobbold ownership. Although its loss to the family is sad, the Trust fully understands the decision made by present owner Tom Hope-Cobbold (1974).
Earliest references cite a William de Glemham in 1228/29 but the present hall was built in 1560 by a later de Glemham in the early Renaissance style. Bought by Dudley North in 1708 the structure underwent major alterations to accommodate Georgian style between 1712 and 1727. Dudley North’s wife, Catherine was the daughter of Elihu Yale the founder of the famous American university.
When John Murray (Ivan) Cobbold (1897-1944) #448 married Lady Blanche Cavendish (1898-1987) #449, Glemham Hall was purchased as being a property suited to entertaining the new noble in-laws. Lady Blanche was a daughter of the 9th Duke of Devonshire (1868-1938) #2452 so John Murry became a brother-in-law to Harold Macmillan (1894-1986) #3735. Following the death of Lady Blanche and her two sons, John (1927-1983) #575 and Patrick (1934-1994) #576 the property devolved to Philip Hope-Cobbold (1943-2020) #577 and thence to his son Tom.
Anthony Cobbold
